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October 12, 2012

Schadenfreude 145 (A Continuing Series)

This time Raul IObanez [sic] didn't help. Pinch-hitting for A-Rod didn't help. The Yankees are running out of alternatives and answers as their Game 5 fate beckons.

As the Bombers failed to conjure the previous game's magic, the Orioles extended this best-of-five American League division series to a decisive game with a 13-inning, 2-1 victory over the Yankees Thursday night at the Stadium.

The Yankees had a chance to put the series away in the eighth inning, but with runners on second and third and one out Alex Rodriguez struck out and Nick Swisher flied out to right. The Yankees didn't have a runner in scoring position after that inning.

Sabathia faces Jason Hammel in a Game 1 rematch. The winner opposes the Tigers in the best-of-seven ALCS ...

Alex Rodriguez cannot start today in a decisive Game 5 against Jason Hammel. This isn't punishment or statement. Just the obvious. He is helpless, hapless and hopeless against right-handed pitching. ...

Rodriguez has become a human white flag against righties (0-for-11 in this series with nine strikeouts).

Rodriguez ... claims he is still having good at-bats. He is speaking from pride, memory or delusion.